Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is finally on Xbox Series and Switch 2 this week. While it was never a question of how well the game would run on Xbox, the Switch 2 port has been a hot topic for ages.
After a week of revisiting Midgar and catching up with Cloud, Tifa, Barret, and Aerith again, I’m pleased to say that the Switch 2 port is exceptional. A demo that dropped just before Christmas was just the icing on the cake, giving us a glimpse of the opening bombing at the Mako Reactor in Sector 1.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade Is Finally Available Everywhere
Seeing a massive game like CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 not only launch on the Switch 2 but also play incredibly well on the handheld was a strong indicator that the console had legs. Street Fighter 6 was another port that runs well and is a daily game in my rotation. Now, Square Enix steps up to show just how impressive third-party support is for Nintendo’s latest hybrid handheld.
While I’m not the person who can break down all the technical wizardry at play, Digital Foundry‘s work is some of the best to make sense of things. It’s mentioned that the Switch 2 port goes toe-to-toe with the PlayStation 5 port, not the PlayStation 4 port. That means the lighting and volumetric effects are almost 1:1 on Switch 2 and PS5, making it one of the best ports we’ve seen yet. The wizardry isn’t just for battles, though. Square Enix uses the tech to deliver a port worth experiencing on the go or at home.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade has been on PC for a while now, and I’ve completed it on Steam Deck at launch. Juggling between the two, I find there’s little to distinguish between them. Sure, the 30 FPS lock on Switch 2 is noticeable, but the Steam Deck does the same thing. The resolution on Nintendo’s console is 1920 x 1080, and it’s immediately noticeable compared to the Steam Deck, which renders at 1280 x 720.
The Switch 2 Port Is Technical Wizardry
The picture quality is impressive, given that this port would not be possible on the OG Switch unless you considered the Cloud Version, some publishers thought was a good decision. The Switch 2 has been on shelves for only several months, yet it’s proven to be a capable follow-up from the outset of its June 2025 launch. I’ve once again revised my priorities for where to play my games outside the PlayStation 5. Before the Switch 2, the Steam Deck replaced my Switch for a majority of my titles. After the Switch 2, it’s quickly become the must-play console for a ton of my games. The hardware is a perfect middle ground between power and portability.
I do notice that some sections of Midgar have the same issues as the PlayStation 4 version, mainly that the shadows feel far less defined and considerably less clear than in the PlayStation 5 version. Plus, there are far fewer texture issues than I anticipated (the infamous door texture is there on Switch 2) and fall squarely closer to the PS5 version.
In fact, with the added Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade Streamlined Progression addition, I’ve had a blast revisiting the updated world of Midgar. I’ve played the game a few times since it launched, but the addition of making the game inherently easier for someone who’s already played it from the outset is a boon to my limited time. Streamlined Progression does just what the name implies: you’re given the choice to keep your HP and MP topped up, to hit enemies for 9,999 damage, max gil, easy weapon ability, and more. Plus, you can utilize Head Start mode to have your party already powered up to level 45 with the equivalent skill points, maxed Materia, and appropriate gear for the game’s mid-end point. These improvements will launch on PlayStation 5 and PC, so don’t fret if you want to enjoy the boosts on your save file.
My only major gripe with finally having Remake Intergrade on the Switch 2 is that it shows just how big games have gotten. Even getting this port on my device meant I needed to delete games to play it. As I said bye to Street Fighter 6 and Kirby Air Riders, I was a bit shocked I’d run out of space so soon after upgrading my SD card to a 512 GB card in the Fall. However, at 90 GB, the Final Fantasy port is bar-for-bar as good on the Switch 2 as anywhere else, with the fewest concessions to run so well.
With all the included options to streamline Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade on the Switch 2, I swept through the story in a breeze. Newcomers to the series, I advise you to soak this experience in because it’s an absolutely charming game with several moments that I still think about to this day. Partly, this is because the journey to these moments came after the struggles of outrageous boss battles, party banter, and tons of squat challenges.
What makes Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade so endearing is that it skillfully remixes nostalgia with modern sensibilities, and it fleshes out its cast. It is one of those projects where the pieces line up perfectly (and yes, I know there were obstacles a decade ago that prolonged development), but it still came together to deliver one of the most mechanically invigorating RPGs in recent memory.
Verdict
Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade is a significant quality-of-life improvement over the base game, offering a wealth of upgrades. The addition of the Xbox Series and Switch 2 is the cherry on top for series fans, but the icing on the cake is having an incredible RPG available on the go while taking no shortcuts or cutting corners to make the game work on Nintendo’s handheld.
[The publisher provided a copy of the game for review purposes.]
Reviewed on: Switch 2
No it isn’t lol. You are getting mixed up with Rebirth. Remake is a PS4 game. Kingdom Come Deliverance and The Witcher 3 were PS4 games and got miracle Switch 1 ports.
If Switch 2 DOESN’T run Remake on par or better than PS4, then that is a laughing stock console and a precursor to how horrendous and hilarious the REST of its life will be because its only out 7 months so far.
The PS5 version is just a port of a PS4 game. That’s irrelevant. And it still doesn’t run on par with PS5 because of the framerate.
I’m so excited to see all the lies for the next 7 years and articles filling the internet about ancient game x, y or z coming Switch 2 and “looks incredible”….. just like what happened gaming news and Switch 1.